Catch 22 hosting tailgate for charity

Proceeds from Nov. 21 event will benefit Down syndrome

Greenfield’s Catch 22 Sports Pub will host a cook-off and tailgate party in November on the day that the Ohio State Buckeyes meet with the Spartans of Michigan State University.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Sawyer-Man’s Fans team, a team named for a local boy with Down syndrome. The team raises money for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati.

The event, known as Sawyer Man’s Smokin’ Buckeye Bash, will be on Nov. 21 and will be open to patrons when Catch 22 opens for the day at 11 a.m.

The cook-off will start early in the day, and will transition later on into a sort of tailgate party, according to Catch 22 owner Mark Clyburn.

The plan, Clyburn said, is to have the game projected onto a large screen behind the 250 Jefferson St. business.

“You’ve got to go to Columbus for all the tailgates,” Clyburn said. “Why can’t we have one here?”

Cook-off participants will be judged by attendees and local celebrity judges with the winners getting not only bragging rights, but trophies, too. And once the cook-off is over, Clyburn said participants will be able to sell their food, apart from the cook-off offerings, to attendees.

For a $50 registration fee, cook-off participants will be provided a space to set up shop and a pork butt to cook. Those interested should contact Elizabeth Fryman at 740-505-6219 or email her at Elizabeth.fryman@yahoo.com, and include a name and phone number. Those wanting to participate must be registered no later than Nov. 14.

Fryman raises money for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati through the Sawyer-Man’s Fans team, which is named in honor of her son, she said.

On Nov. 21 for a $5 entry fee, attendees will gain access to the area, be able to sample the cook-off entries, and partake in the tailgate. Those 21 years old and older will be provided a wristband. Drinks will also be available out back of Catch 22, with 10 percent of those sales also going to the charity, Clyburn said.

Clyburn previously told The Times-Gazette that the establishment is meant to be a place for the community to gather. In addition to other charity fundraisers, the pub regularly hosts a number of local musical acts, with comedy acts every couple months. Also, the pub hosts an open-mike night each Wednesday. The regular activities at the pub are at no cost, Clyburn said.

The pub’s culinary offerings include freshly made sandwiches, flat breads, and appetizers. Catch 22 typically serves a regular crowd for lunch and later meals, with patrons including students and families. He said it’s not until around 10 p.m. that the place becomes the 21 and over crowd.

More information can be found at the Catch 22 Sports Pub Facebook page.